Sacre Coeur- BEAUTIFUL, and one of the places I missed on my 'first' trip to Paris 15 years ago ;)

View from Sacre Coeur- this is the highest point in Paris (with the exception of the top of the Eiffel Tower).

At our hotel. I kinda splurged here and we stayed at a lovely hotel in the business center. Didn't have the total Parisian feel, but it had great restaurants within walking distance, a nearby park (essential with a toddler), amazing beds and pillows (really important to a pregnant lady), and a shower that I wanted to LIVE in.

Outside the Louvre.

One of my favs.

And our Paris-by-Andy honorable mention? Here it is. I only wore Jackson for about 5 minutes before I started to feel crampy and thinking, 'This probably isn't the best idea'. But hey, it's a cute photo op!

Ok, so we've been home a few days but I have NOT yet gotten back into the swing of things. This trip really taken it out of me and I'll be completely honest and tell you I haven't picked up my camera in days. I think I'm not feeling too hot about my pictures from the trip and generally feeling down about photography. I'm also feeling pretty physically exhausted out from our trip. Three countries in 8 days with a toddler and being 6+ months pregnant is rough (thankfully I have a pretty amazing Hubby). I decided to recap my trip with my top 5 pictures per city, and then start back with Day 118 tomorrow. :) Enjoy!

Here's Amsterdam!

Andy and Jackson at the Rijksmuseum. We had beautiful weather our whole trip. Anywhere we could let Jackson 'roam' was wonderful. Even if it smelled a little 'funny'.

This pretty much sums up Amsterdam: Bikes and Canals

On the canal boat tour.

Wooden shoes. Yes, we now own a hideously-touristy pair.

Honorable Mentions (because I have a hard time with rules and limitations, even self imposed ones):

Jackson and I at the Rijksmuseum. I love these pictures Andy took (there are a few), and the story behind them? Jackson was all over the place, wandering, meeting people, picking up trash. The only way I could convince him to be in the same frame as me was to bribe him with fruit snacks.

Love this picture of Andy.

This is a picture I set up and had pictured in my mind. You know- kinda maternity-esque shot, but with miniature wooden shoes :). I originally wanted it by a canal but we were exhausted so we took it on our balcony.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Maybe I forgot to mention that we are on vacation? Yeah, sorry about that. I probably won't post again until we get back next weekend, but you never know. Want to know the first stop on our trip? I'll let you guess. Here are some 'abstract' pictures from our first day here! Enjoy!

So I got a sunburst, but how do I get it 'pointy'?

Love the bokeh.

This was my hubs idea for a picture.

Also in this great town is a high-tech professional camera store which THANKFULLY had a charger for my D60. . . yeah, of all the things I packed THAT is what I forgot. It was a long limited picture taking-battery saving weekend until they opened up today and we found out they had one!

Friday, April 15, 2011

This was actually taken last weekend. Jackson and I took a trip with Dad to the 'Beer Store' as we call it, or 'Getranke' as the Germans call it. This is where Germans have one whole store where they buy all thier drinks. I am happy I took pictures in public (so nervous I would get yelled at!), but I didn't get 'The Shot' I was hoping for. I guess there is always next time!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Here are the pics from last week. She was such a sweet little model, and I loved having a change of scenery and a subject who isn't quit mobile yet! I've been thinking more and more that maybe this is something I'd like to do professionally one day. . . now to just get my skills 'there'!

Monday, April 11, 2011

I love this one. Jackson and I spend a lot of time outside. Between trips to the park, walking the dogs, and the playground literally just outside our fence we're on the go often. Before breakfast this morning he was asking to go 'side' (outside). . while I was making coffee he climbed into his folded stroller. One of those times I'm thankful for my 6400 ISO. . .even with the noise :).

Friday, April 8, 2011

Picture from earlier in the week, edited last night hoping tonight my hubby will be home before 7pm for the first time since we've been back! Hoping for a little (lot) of family time~!﻿

Jackson helped himself to this apple when the fridge door was open earlier in the day. It disappeared and I didn't think much of it (ahem, Patton). He must have hidden it safely as I found him munching on it later that afternoon (hence the sticker!)